Biography

This profile is part of the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire One Place Study.

Frank Fidler FTCL LRAM was born in Essex, England.

Frank Fidler FTCL LRAM is a Military Veteran.
Served in the UK RAF 1953-1986 attained rank of Warrant Officer
FTCL, LRAM, LGSM, ALCM, MIMIT, RAF

Frank was a member of a brass band

Frank Fidler FTCL, LRAM, LGSM, ALCM, MIMIT, RAF birth was registered in the Jul-Aug-Sep quarter of 1936 in the Colchester district.^[1] son of Frank Fidler and Glayds May Humphrey

Frank's marriage to Maureen Powell was registered in the Jan-Feb-Mar quarter of 1959 in the Uxbridge district.^[2]

Frank's death (age 84) was registered in the Jul-Aug-Sep quarter of 2020 in the Gloucestershire district.^[3]

Obituary from family in British Bandsman

Frank Fidler was born in Colchester in 1936, the son of Salvation Army ministers. His interest in music started at a very young age, where he played the drum in the Folkestone Salvation Army Young People's Band. At the age of eight he began to study the piano and went on to become an accomplished performer and accompanist.

At 17 ½, Frank joined the Royal Air Force as a musician. After completing basic training in the RAF School of Music, he was appointed to the Central Band, playing tuba and piano, and was the youngest musician to be appointed to that band. While in the Central Band Frank developed an interest in musical instrument repair. This led him to become an apprentice to Mr Reach, who worked for Besson. He learned the skills needed to become an excellent brass and woodwind instrument repairer, a skill which led him to be the go-to person who was responsible for the repairs of all the RAF band instruments, something he would do alongside his other roles in the School of Music and later, as bandmaster; in fact, throughout his 33 years of service in the RAF.

While serving as a young man at RAF Uxbridge Frank met Maureen, who would become his wife in 1959. Last year they celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary.

In 1963 Frank was posted to Changi, Singapore. Alongside his primary role in FEAF Band he taught at the Raffles school, forming a well-respected youth band. Frank returned to RAF Uxbridge in 1965 and went back to the Central Band. Frank took the bandmasters course in 1975 and the following year, he was appointed bandmaster of the Western Band of the RAF, based at Locking.

He returned to RAF Uxbridge in 1978 and worked in the RAF School of Music, recruiting musicians into the RAF. He also continued to further his musical studies, which meant that he had 23 letters after his name. Alongside the concerts and ceremonial duties that he carried out, Frank was also in high demand as a band adjudicator. This saw him travel around the country in his spare time.

In 1984 he was appointed Bandmaster at RAF Catterick and the following year, tragic circumstances meant Frank was appointed bandmaster of the RAF Germany Band in Rheindahlen. He stayed there until his retirement in 1988.

On retiring from the Royal Air Force, Frank moved to the Forest of Dean and set up his musical instrument supplies and repair service. In time, his two sons, Kevin and Allastaire joined the thriving business to become Frank Fidler and Sons, completing brass and woodwind repairs. Frank was an accomplished conductor and it wasn't long before word got round about his conducting skills. His experience and expertise in both musical instrument repairs and conducting meant that he was soon in high demand, especially when bands were preparing for contests. He very quickly developed friendships with the local brass bands in the Forest and in the South West.

One band that was particularly important to Frank was Coleford Town, which he conducted in a number of contests. When Coleford became Forest of Dean Brass he was awarded lifetime membership.

Frank gained the contract for instrument repairs for schools in the Stoke and Stafford County Council areas. He continued with this until his eventual retirement, aged 83.

When the Salvation Army started work in The Forest of Dean, Frank helped with supplying and repairing donated instruments and then helped with leading the band. He spent five years playing tuba in The Salvation Army South Western Fellowship Band.

Frank leaves behind his wife Maureen, four children, 12 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Frank Fidler June 9, 1936-July 15, 2020^[4]

Tribute on You Tube

memory on daughter Suzanne's channel

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NtK2jOYQgOM

Memorial Concert

Concert of celebration for Frank Fidler FTCL, LRAM, LGSM, ALCM, MIMIT, RAF

On 7 May 2022 in Lydney Town Hall Gloucestershire a concert called "A Celebration of Music" was held in memory of Frank and was attended by family and former RAF Colleagues and former Brass band friends and friends. Music was performed by Forest of Dean Brass, The Salvation Army South Western Fellowship Band, Clifford Matthews, Joey Prescott, Adonai

Ticket from tribute concert 7 may 2022

Links

Wikitree Site of Brass and Miiitary bands click relevant sections to find Frank as a member of the various bands

Sources

1. ↑ Birth Registration: "England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1916-2007"
   General Register Office; United Kingdom; Reference: Volume 4a, Page 1287
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry uk Record 8782 #31359375 (accessed 8 May 2022)
   Frank Fiddler birth Jul-Aug-Sep 1936 in Colchester volume 4a page 1287.
2. ↑ Marriage Registration: "England & Wales, Civil Registration Marriage Index, 1916-2005"
   General Register Office; United Kingdom; Volume: 5f; Page: 461
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 8753 #31150183 (accessed 10 May 2022)
   Frank Fidler marriage to Powell Jan-Feb-Mar 1959 in Uxbridge volume 5f page 461.
3. ↑ Death Registration: "England & Wales General Register Office"
   GRO Online Indexes - Death (accessed 8 May 2022)
   Fidler, Frank (Year of birth: 1936).
   GRO Reference: 2020 Jul-Aug-Sep in Gloucestershire (488-1B) Entry Number 520784935.
4. ↑ http://www.britishbandsman.com/news/2411/obituary-frank-fidler